'The American Dream has always been about making money' Booker-longlisted author Hernan Diaz talks about how his debut novel made him feel less lonely and why his Booker-longlisted follow-up – a page-turner about wealth – goes to the very heart of the US
. “I couldn’t be happier,” he beams. “I didn’t have an inkling about it! I mean, I knew that the book had been submitted, but when the news came, a total surprise! It feels great to be on a list so diverse. I’m excited!”that isn’t dry and stuffy but rather pulses with vivid, contradictory life. It tells the story of a New York tycoon called Benjamin Rask and his ailing wife Helen, but does so through four different pieces of writing.
There follows a truncated memoir from Rask himself, essentially to set the record straight, but the memoir never gets beyond the first draft because Rask can’t be bothered. Then there is another memoir, this from Rask’s former secretary, who had been charged with ghosting Rask’s abortive autobiography; she did not, it transpires, enjoy the experience.
During his early research, he found that there had been many – invariably dry – non-fiction accounts on the subject, but that fiction had rarely dared stray into the territory. For the ambitious novelist, then, this felt like a cracked door waiting to be shouldered open.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
An introduction to the books of Hilary MantelThose who knew Hilary Mantel spoke of her big heart, her “shimmering perceptiveness” and her sly take on the world around her. Here’s what to read to get to know her writing
Read more »
Raul Sanllehi: 'I had to lay off 55 people at Arsenal, without knowing I was the 56th'🗣️ “The Zaragoza project is fantastic, unique, bringing an old-time, very historic club back where it belongs.' Raul Sanllehi speaks to dermotmcorrigan about life after Arsenal, his new role at Real Zaragoza and their quest to return to La Liga.
Read more »
An introduction to the books of Hilary MantelThose who knew Hilary Mantel spoke of her big heart, her “shimmering perceptiveness” and her sly take on the world around her. Here’s what to read to get to know her writing
Read more »
From lottery wins to humble queuing, huge wealth comes with its own set of burdensFrom lottery wins to David Beckham’s humble queuing, huge wealth comes with its own set of burdens ✍️ Problems that are caused by money are the ones money can’t solve 🔵 ipaperviews
Read more »
People are handing out financial advice to Gen-Z on TikTok, and making money from itTikTok has seen an explosion of “fin-fluencers” or financial influencers who share money tips and investment advice to their thousands of followers
Read more »
Don’t Worry Darling: why are we so fascinated by the desperate housewife?As Olivia Wilde’s period thriller Don’t Worry Darling hits the big screen, Alys Key asks what’s behind our perennial fascination with the desperate housewife in popular culture.
Read more »